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According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Detroit Lions have agreed to a contract with free-agent tight end Jesse James.
#Lions have agreed to a deal with former #Steelers TE Jesse James, source says. Detroit remains active.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 11, 2019
In 2018, James played his fourth season (all with the Pittsburgh Steelers) in the NFL. He appeared in all 16 of the Steelers’ games last season; starting in seven of them. He had 30 receptions for 423 yards and two touchdowns over those 16 games. He’ll be 25-years-old when the 2019 season kicks off.
James, a former Penn State Nittany Lion, excels more as a blocker than a receiver. He received a 76.8 pass blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, while he has a career high of only 43 receptions in a single season. He also has never scored more than three touchdowns in a single season. Even Charles Clay managed to do that on the 2015 Tyrod Taylor-led Buffalo Bills.
After cutting Clay, the Bills were rumored to be interested in James. They also met with Dwayne Allen this week. So far it appears the Bills have struck out on their free agent tight end targets.